Fermoy News

HEARTBREAK AS YOUNG LIFE IS CUT SHORT

Kevin Walsh’s young life was cut short on Sunday evening last, when the car he was a passenger in, was involved in a tragic crash at Curraglass, Conna. He was taken to CUH (Cork University Hospital) where he was pronounced dead.

The drivers of the two cars were taken to CUH and to Ardkeen Hospital in Waterford respectively. They are both out of danger. One of the drivers was due to be released this Wednesday, while the other is being kept in hospital for further observation. The road was closed pending a garda investigation of the circumstances of the crash.

A native of Kilclare Upper, Conna, 17-year-old Kevin had attended Conna National School and was due to sit his Leaving Cert exams in Colaiste an Chraoibhin, Fermoy where he was a student, in a few weeks’ time. Students and teachers in both schools, deeply shocked as a result of the tragedy, have cancelled activities that were to be held during the week as a mark of respect.

Michael Mulcahy, principal of Conna National School said that he remembered Kevin as a “good student and footballer".

Kevin was also a keen sportsman.

“He was into all sports and used to go to all the matches He was very talented. It was his 4th year on the team,” said Derry O’Leary, treasurer of Valley Rangers Soccer Club in Conna.

“We are in a state of shock as we knew him very well,” he added.

Kevin was a brilliant player for the Valley Rangers team and he recently returned from Barcelona where he was on a trip with the WW/EC U16 Schoolboys. He was also very active in the St. Catherine’s GAA local club and only on Sunday morning assisted them in a minor hurling match against Castlelyons.

The West Waterford East Cork Schoolboys League would like to extend their sympathy to Kevin’s family that was ravaged by the tragic news.

“His mother Margaret is one of the main organisers of youth football in Valley Rangers and also in WW/EC schoolboy section. To Liam and Margaret and the Walsh family we extend our heartfelt condolences at this very difficult time”, Michael Looby, regional development officer for the FAI said.

The requiem Mass will take place in St. Catherine’s Church, Conna, on this Thursday, May 1 at 12 noon. Kevin Walsh will then be laid to rest in Conna Cemetery.